To the world’s art circles,

I’ll summon you to join Guggenheim’s petition to protest against the
arrest of Chinese artist Ai Weiwei. We can put a poignant and
impressive statement if the art circles of the world make common
effort demanding the release of Ai Weiwei.

Please further this request.



 Link to Guggenheim’s petition:
http://www.change.org/petitions/call-for-the-release-of-ai-weiwei#?opt_new=f&opt_fb=t

 

 
This press release can be downloaded at
http://www.aidoh.dk/Ai-Weiwei

Statement by Jens Galschiot, 8 April 2011

Release Ai Weiwei!

On Sunday 3rd April the renowned artist Ai Weiwei was arrested by
Chinese police. Attempts to contact the artist have been in vain and
the Chinese authorities deny any comment on the issue. Allegedly some
sort of financial crime is the core of the issue. This accusation is
dubious and can be used for anything.

Danish artist Jens Galschiot has on two occasions been denied entry
to Hong Kong as a result of his artistic commitment in co-operation
with the Democracy Movement. He has a permanent ban for entering
China. On the occasion of Ai Weiwei’s arrest he declares:


“I energetically condemn the arrest of Ai Weiwei. He is one of the
world’s most prominent artists, he makes outstanding artworks, and
lately he has made a comprehensive exhibition at Tate Modern. All
these activities highlight the fact that China has become an important
part of the international art scene. Ai Weiwei stands as a prominent
representative of the Chinese people, promising for the future.

I am deeply concerned that China now once again has displayed its
totalitarian face to the world and once again has committed an
encroachment on its own citizens. This shameful act reveals that China
still has a long way to go before it can be regarded a state based on
the rule of law protecting its citizens against arbitrary abuse of
power.

I urge all artists of the world to express their protest against the
detention of Ai Weiwei. The Guggenheim museum has launched a petition.
Visit the homepage and join the petition.

Likewise I request the Danish government and all democratic
governments to condemn the arrest. This abuse should not go unheeded,
especially as China has become one of the most important trading
partners of the West. Therefore we have a special obligation to
express our concern.

In particular I summon the governments of Hong Kong and Taiwan to
protest. These two entities with Chinese population enjoying free
speech have a special obligation to express their disapproval of an
infringement committed by Mainland China. Maybe the Chinese government
will be more sensitive to criticism from their own compatriots”, Jens
Galschiot concludes.


General INFO

Guggenheim’s petition:
http://www.change.org/petitions/call-for-the-release-of-ai-weiwei#?opt_new=f&opt_fb=t
The artist has uploaded comprehensive documentation about China on
his homepage, see
http://www.aidoh.dk/China-activities

About the detention, see
http://www.aidoh.dk/Ai-Weiwei

Contact/info/photos on Jens Galschiot: www.aidoh.dk, e-mail
aidoh@aidoh.dk
Tel. +45 6618 4058, mobile +45 4044 7058

www.facebook.com/galschiot.official  and
http://www.twitter.com/galschiot
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